When Sammy does get out and I have to go looking for him, he usually isn’t far. All I have to do is find the nearest group of people, and that's where he'll be. When Sammy sees me coming, he runs to me, his tail wagging wildly, as if to say, “Great! You’re here! Now you can play too!” I open the car door and Sammy jumps right in.

What is it that makes Sammy want to leave the comfort of his yard? Partly, I’m sure it’s hormonal—although we were certain last month’s trip to Dr. M would have fixed that. But there must be something about the prospect of the new day, and a brand new world of adventure waiting him that brings on the wanderlust for Sammy. He’s got it all in our back yard—toys, food, water, bones secretly hidden, and a big picture window to see into the house. But that’s not enough for Sammy.

The prophet Elijah was being chased by a wicked queen who was trying to kill him, and though he was trying to serve the Lord, things just weren’t working out quite right. He was off course by about 200 miles. Discouraged and down on himself, the Bible tells us he sat under a tree and prayed that he might die. Instead the angel of the Lord came and fed him. He ate, and he was strengthened, but he was still discouraged. So he fell asleep again. The angel came a second time and woke him up, telling him to eat and get up. This time, he got up and traveled another 40 miles to a cave in the middle of the mountain Horab where he spent the night.

What are You Doing Here?

"And the word of the Lord came to him: 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' He replied, 'I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.' (I Kings 19:9, 10).

Have you ever felt the Lord asking you, “What are you doing here?” Have you spewed out some long story about how nothing has been going your way? Some days, life seems to boil down to mere survival. That’s where Elijah was.

You may be chasing some dream of adventure and excitement, like Sammy, or seeking not to get killed as you wander through the battlefield of your day, like Elijah. You may find yourself a bit off track. I know I do. The point is, the Lord will always come looking for you, when you wander astray, just as I always do for Sammy. Just make sure you’re not too proud to jump into that car and go home!